Okay, spoke to him and gave him some options. At best it will only be a temporary repair with the facilities available. Taking into account where he still wants to go I suggested he returns to Walvisbay where I can assist him properly. The next best place on his route is Tsumeb with a lot of hard riding in between. It is as you know terrible to enjoy a ride if you are thinking of bits & pieces falling off at any time. I understand he wants to take the river track between Epupa and Ruacana. If you break down there it will be extremely difficult to get proper assistance and get the bike going again.

I have offered him assistance and accommodation here in Walvis if he chooses to take that option and then continue with his trip perhaps along a different route.

Just to put you in the picture. He arrived in Walvisbay yesterday and after a few beers and a meal , I stripped off the exhaust and took it apart. On the engine side the flange welded to the perforated pipe broke off. Welded it on again and reassembled everything in good order. He is good to go!

The only aluminium part was in fact the outside skin of the can which did not need any welding. The guys in Opuwo actually did an ok job by basically tying everything up with wire. held together just fine to get him here.

He is off this morning to do the tourist thing out in the bay with a catamaran to watch the seals and dolphins. Will see him again tonight after work and discuss his route further on. We will also do the braai thing as he has not done this yet. Only heard about it so far!

Very pleasant chap and does not seem to be scared of anything. Was quite gobsmacked to learn that he only got his bike licence shortly before starting this trip! Maybe it is better this way as he then does not know enough to be scared!

Ok, he is packed up and ready to go. At this point still going via Epupa and then on to the Caprivi Strip. Introduced him to the braai experience and talked all sorts of rubbish until late at night over a bottle of wine.

My wife packed him some biltong for the road. he even bought himself a "potjie" and photographed some recipes out of the potjie cook book. Seems like he is getting into the Africa thing properly now. Also sorted him with a fleece blanket as he complained about the cold at night while camping.

He promised to update his RR but if I hear any more from him I will post it in the mean time.

Hats off to a very brave lad with an adventure spirit that would put most of us locals in the shade